9 Days tour to northern route with Simien mountains (SET13)

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The Historic Route is one of the greatest treasures of Ethiopia .Nowhere else in the world can you see riches of man’s past such as those in the northern part of Ethiopia most of them are registered by UNSCO as world heritage site. A history that stretched back to the time of prehistoric man the 5th century B.C pagan temple of Yeha, Debre Damo monastery to more than 3000 years old history of Axum with the rock Churches of Tigray just prior to their cousin in Lalibela dated back from the 6th-10th, the 12th century rock hewn churches of Lalibela, the UNSCO heritage walled city of Harar, the medieval castles of Gonder, the famous Blue Nile fall with the 13th century painting monastery of Lake Tana at Bahir Dar spectacular scenery, peoples, customs landscape Riches that cover the history of Ethiopia

From the 1st early beginnings to the modern day, riches that are set among some of the most stunning scenery in Ethiopia and where our people work today, just as their ancestors have done for generations. As scholars say “Lalibela represents the supreme wonder and mystery of Ethiopian civilization, Gonder it’s pride, Bahirdar is natural bounty and Harar its exotic mosaic culture and Axum stands as the fountain head of all this where civilization born and fertile.

Accommodations/ Hotels

Your choice of Up market/ Midrange/Budget with camping during trekking & adventure trip as per your preferred program

Meal plans

Your choice of meal- BB/HB/FB with all meals during trekking and adventure trip with professional cook at camping.

Transportation (Ground Drives & Domestic Flights)

Your choice of transportation based on the route you pick with Minivans/ Buses/ 4x4s & Domestic flights with walking/hiking, and pack animals during trekking and adventure trips

Entrance fee

All Entrance fee in the sightseeing’s, villages & National parks

Guiding services

Option 1- Professional licensed federal English or your preferred languages speaking guide throughout the trip with a local guides in each destination and scout in the case of attraction sight and national park

Option 2- English speaking driver guide throughout the trip with a local guides in each destination and scout in the case of attraction sight and national park

The famous historic route is one of the best destinations in the world to travel centuries back to perceive the civilizations of the ancient and medieval Ethiopia, medieval monasteries of lake Tana, African Camelot castle of Gonder, the UNESCO list Simien mountains, Axum birth place of Ethiopian civilizations with UNESCO registered eighth wonders of world- Lalibeal, are living testimonies that endow with you a complete and full history of the country.

Day 1- FLY ADDIS – BAHIRDAR - boat trip and blue nile water fall

Early morning after breakfast transfer to the airport to fly Addis to Bahirdar upon arrival meet with SET staffs and transfer to your hotel, after check in start boat cruise on this beautiful highland lake to see the monastery church of the beautifully decorated Ura Kidanmihret, and Azwa Mariam that allows both genders. Under the thatched roof of the monastery, there are some distinctive colorful frescoes of religious scenes an impressive display of illuminated bibles written in “Geez” the religious language from which Amharic is derived then afternoon will take a scenic drive of 32 km to the little town of Tiss Abay and walk for about twenty minutes to visit the famous Blue Nile Falls. The falls is locally known as Tiss Isat meaning, “Water that smoke”. Those who may wish to descend to the base of the falls must be climb back to the other side and cross the Blue Nile in a boat in-order to back to the point of departure, overnight hotel.

Day 2- DRIVE Bahir Dar – Gonder- PM EXPLORE GONDER

After breakfast drive to Gonder 180 km to conduct tour of Gonder known as the “Camelot” of Africa, nestled in the foothills of the breathtaking Semien Mountains National Park in the northwestern part of the country was the 17th and 18th century capital city of Ethiopia, which was founded by Emperors Fasiladas (1632 – 1667) and was home to a number of emperors & warlords, curtsies and kings who built several castles and palaces around the area. Visit the oldest and the most impressive Gonderine structure, the magnificent castle compound including the two storied palace of emperor Fasiladas, built of roughly hewn brown basalt stone held together with mortar, the fantastically decorated Debre Brehan Silassie Church (light of Trinity),the bath (now baptismal place during Ethiopian epiphany, January 19) of king Fasiladas and the ruined palace of Queen Mintiwab at Qusquam, were the Scottish explorer James Bruce used to reside for sometimes, overnight hotel.

Optional Activities Awra Amba community- is an Ethiopian community of about 400 people, located 73 kilometres east of Bahir Dar in the Fogera woreda of Debub Gondar Zone. It was founded in 1980 with the goal of solving socio-economic problems through helping one another in an environment of egalitarianism—in marked contrast to the traditional norms of Amhara society. Founded by Zumra Nuru, who currently serves as co-chairman of the community, with 19 other people who shared his vision, as of 2007 Awra Amba has some 400 members, and is lauded as a model to alleviate poverty and promote gender equality in a country where women are generally subservient to men)

Day 3- DRIVE goder – simien mountain national park-HIKING

Early in the morning Trip to Simien Mountain drives to Debark, 100Kms from Gonder, the Headquarter of the Simien Mountains National Park. Proceed to Sankaber, 37Kms farther, which is your first trekking starting spot, 3250 ms above sea level. Spend the day trekking around the camp sites. Lunch will be served by lunch boxes on top of the view point; here you will see some endemic Ethiopian Birds like wattle Ibis, and some mammals like the Gelada Baboon, overnight hotel/ Lodge/ Camping

Day 4- DRIVE simien mountain national park- Axum

Early in the morning after breakfast drive through the Simien Mountains National Park escarpments to Axum, via one of the most scenic road of Ethiopia and the Tekeze river gorge. This trip is a trying one, but it is the most rewarding for those who love exceptional scenery, overnight hotel

Day 5- Full day VISIT Axum-BIRTH PLACE OF ETHIOPIAN CIVILIZATIONS

Full day visit of Axum, a place where the cradle of Ethiopian culture Christianity and the first capital of Ethiopia until the 9th century A.D., On this day you will visit the small but rich archaeological museum, the famous stele park, where the magnificent single block of stones erected since 3rd century, the Saint Mary of Zion Cathedral, where the original Holy Ark of the Covenant is still sheltered, however except one guardian (priest) no one is allowed to enter in to the sanctuary where the ark is stayed. Continuing your visit which includes the subterranean tomb of king Kalbe and his son king Gebremeskel, 6th Century AD, the trilingual inscription of king Ezana and finally visit the ruin palace and bath of Queen of Sheba who was the mother of king Menilik I of the 950 B.C, overnight hotel

Day 6- FULL DAY DRIVE Axum- MEKELLE

Morning after breakfast drive Axum- Mekelle on the way visit the 8-5th Century Temple of Yeha. The temple is believed to be the oldest standing building in the country. Proceed to the 6th century famous Monastery of Debre Damo established by Abune Aregawi one of the nine Saints came in Ethiopia in the 6th century in the reign of King Kaleb to spread Christianity in different parts of the country (the monastery is only for men and accessed by climbing rope) if you are not interested with the monastery since it is only for men it is possible to visit rock churches of TIGRAY (TEKA TESFA CLUSTER) arrival to Mekelle, overnight Lodge

Day 7- FULL DAY DRIVE mekelle- LALIBELA

Morning after breakfast drive Mekele- Lalibela a full day Drive to Lalibela passing through outstanding chains of Mountain via Weldia admiring the landscape and the people on the way picnic lunch will be served, overnight hotel

Day 8- Full DAY EXPLORE THE 8TH WONDERS OF WORLD LALIBALA

Full day at Lalibela visiting the brilliant feats of engineering and architectures, are often by many referred as the “8th wonder of the world” which is exceptional to find eleven rock hewn churches of such master craftsmanship in one place. In this morning among the eleven remarkable rock hewn churches built by king Lalibela in the late 12th and 13th century A.D, you will visit the first cluster of churches that represents the earthly Jerusalem. After lunch break you will visit the second cluster of churches, which represents the heavenly Jerusalem, finally visit the most beautiful and fascinating monolithic cruciform church of Saint Gorge, late afternoon Ethiopian traditional coffee ceremony and honey wine, overnight hotel

day 9- FLY LALIBALA- ADDIS ABABA- departure

After breakfast transfer to the airport to fly back to Addis Ababa and arrival more free time for Shopping and evening head to the farewell Evening cultural dinner party in one of the Traditional Ethiopian restaurant with dances from the different ethnic Groups then transfer to the

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Remarks- Addis Ababa city tour can be included in your choice of itineraries/ packages based on your detail international arrival and departure schedules.